FIFA World Cup Archives - Page 2 of 4

Lionel Messi sets new FIFA World Cup scoring record

June 22, 2026 by Newsdesk

DALLAS: Argentina star Lionel Messi has reportedly set a new record in FIFA World Cup history by becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goal scorer during a match against Austria in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals.

The milestone came after Messi missed an early penalty in the match but later found the net in the 39th minute to give Argentina a 1–0 lead in the game being played in Dallas.

With the new tally, Klose moves to second place on the all-time list, while Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazário remains third with 15 goals. France’s Kylian Mbappé is fourth with 14 goals.

The achievement further cements Messi’s legacy as one of the most prolific scorers in World Cup history.

Nora Fatehi’s prediction for key match becomes center of attention

June 20, 2026 by Newsdesk

BOSTON: Morocco secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Scotland in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match on Saturday, extending their strong run in the tournament, while an on-field prediction by actor and dancer Nora Fatehi drew widespread attention on social media.

Morocco struck almost immediately, taking the lead just 71 seconds into the match. After the early breakthrough, the African side maintained a disciplined defensive shape and successfully preserved their advantage for the remainder of the game.

The match was played in Boston, where Morocco’s quick start proved decisive against a Scotland side unable to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities.

Fatehi was present in the stadium supporting Morocco and was seen wearing the national jersey. Ahead of kickoff, she posted a video on Instagram predicting a 1–0 scoreline, a forecast that later proved accurate.

She also shared additional posts highlighting the teams’ previous World Cup encounters, noting that Morocco and Scotland had met again after nearly 28 years, including an earlier 3–0 victory for Morocco in past competition.

Her correct prediction quickly went viral online, with fans praising it as a “lucky forecast” and amplifying clips and images from the stadium.

The win strengthens Morocco’s position in Group C as the tournament progresses.

United States defeats Paraguay 4–1 in FIFA World Cup match

June 13, 2026 by Newsdesk

LOS ANGELES: The United States secured a commanding 4–1 victory over Paraguay in a World Cup match played in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The U.S. took control early, leading 3–0 by halftime after a dominant first-half performance.

The opening goal came via an own goal by Paraguay’s Buba Dela, followed by a strike from American midfielder Brenden Aaronson. Just seconds before the halftime whistle, Aaronson scored again to give the U.S. a 3–0 advantage.

Giovanni Reyna added the fourth goal in the closing stages to seal the win for the Americans.

Paraguay managed to pull one goal back in the 73rd minute through Marcio, but it proved only a consolation as the United States maintained control until the final whistle.

The result gives the United States a strong start to its World Cup campaign, while Paraguay will look to regroup ahead of its next fixture.

Unexpected scene at World Cup as fan kisses reporter on Live TV

June 12, 2026 by Newsdesk

GUADALAJARA: The FIFA World Cup 2026 has kicked off with high drama on the pitch and unexpected viral moments off it, as colorful scenes from the tournament continue to dominate social media.

Following the opening match marked by three red cards, another unusual incident emerged from Guadalajara, Mexico, where a South Korean journalist was reporting live during pre-match coverage between South Korea and the Czech Republic.

According to footage circulating online, a female fan approached the reporter from behind during the live broadcast, hugged him, and kissed him on the cheek before walking away.

𝑯𝑶𝑾 𝑪𝑨𝑵 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 𝑪𝑼𝑷 🤣

🎥 @withMBC pic.twitter.com/iM0NXufBtt
— 433 (@433) June 12, 2026

The reporter appeared briefly surprised by the sudden gesture but quickly regained composure, smiling and saying “thank you” in Spanish.

The video has gone viral across social media platforms, with users divided in their reactions. While some have described the moment as a lighthearted reflection of the vibrant and friendly World Cup atmosphere, others have raised questions about consent and suggested that public reaction might have been different if the roles were reversed.

The incident adds another unusual chapter to an already eventful start of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

South Korea beat Czech Republic 2–1 in FIFA World Cup 2026 clash

June 12, 2026 by Newsdesk

DOHA: South Korea national football team defeated Czech Republic national football team 2–1 in a FIFA World Cup 2026 match on Friday, coming from behind in the second half after a goalless first period.

Both sides struggled to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes, with strong defensive setups keeping scoring chances limited.

The Czech Republic took the lead early in the second half, but South Korea responded with two quick goals to turn the match around and secure all three points.

South Korea’s equalizer came through Wang E-bum in the 67th minute, before the Asian side completed their comeback with a second goal later in the half to seal a 2–1 victory in the group-stage encounter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Earlier, the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off with a dramatic and record-breaking opening match as hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2–0 at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

The opening fixture saw Mexico dominate proceedings against South Africa in a high-intensity contest, securing a comfortable victory in front of a home crowd.

However, the match will be remembered not only for the result but also for a rare disciplinary record in World Cup history. For the first time ever in a World Cup opening match, three red cards were shown.

The referee sent off two South African players and one Mexican player during the game, adding an unexpected twist to the tournament’s curtain-raiser.

According to records, there have been only seven instances in FIFA World Cup history where a single match featured three or more red cards. The highest number remains four red cards, issued during the 2006 World Cup clash between Portugal and the Netherlands.

The dramatic opener has set an intense tone for the rest of the tournament.

FIFA World Cup begins in Mexico with colorful ceremony

June 11, 2026 by Newsdesk

MEXICO CITY: The FIFA World Cup officially began in Mexico City with a vibrant opening ceremony, marking the start of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

According to media reports, a two-member Pakistani delegation led by Syed Mohsen Gilani represented Pakistan at the opening ceremony and official dinner.

Mexican President said that football leaders from around the world attended the event and pledged to make the tournament a memorable and exemplary experience, calling it the largest global sporting event hosted in the country.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino thanked Mexican authorities for the grand opening ceremony and expressed appreciation for the efforts of co-host nations United States and Canada in organizing the tournament.

He said that every possible resource would be used to ensure the World Cup is a historic success.

On the sidelines of the event, the Pakistani delegation also held meetings with officials from various international football associations, discussing matters of mutual interest and cooperation in global football development.

Supercomputer reveals favourite to win 2026 FIFA World Cup

June 2, 2026 by Newsdesk

The FIFA World Cup, the biggest event in world sports, is set to begin on June 12, featuring a historic expanded format for the first time.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first World Cup to include 48 participating teams.

The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with a total of 104 matches scheduled throughout the competition. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which will also feature a newly introduced Round of 32.

With more teams and greater competition, predicting a winner has become increasingly difficult. However, the Opta supercomputer has made data-driven projections using advanced AI-based simulations.

According to the model, Spain are the strongest favourites to lift the trophy, with a 16.1% chance of winning the tournament after running more than 10,000 simulations.

France are ranked second, followed by England in third and Argentina in fourth, with all four teams having more than a 10% chance of winning the World Cup.

Despite being favourites, Spain also face uncertainty, with a 52.1% probability of not reaching the quarter-finals. However, if they progress, their chances improve significantly, with a 39% likelihood of reaching the semi-finals and a 25.6% chance of making the final.

The data also suggests that the expanded format increases unpredictability, although Spain remain the clear front-runners in the statistical model.

Argentina announce FIFA World Cup squad, Messi to lead team

May 29, 2026 by Newsdesk

BUENOS AIRES: Defending champions Argentina have announced their squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with star forward Lionel Messi included in the 26-member lineup.

According to details, Messi will captain the side in what will be his sixth World Cup appearance, marking another major milestone in his illustrious international career.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DY6OwdjtyiO/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=eedce4b7-313b-4b73-8b0d-abbe95767318

The 39-year-old played a pivotal role in Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar, where they defeated France in a dramatic final to secure their third world title.

With his inclusion in the squad, Messi is set to join Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo among a select group of players to feature in six World Cup tournaments.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has selected a balanced squad combining experienced and young players for the tournament.

Key players named in the squad include Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez.

Messi has so far made 198 international appearances for Argentina and could reach the 200-cap milestone if he participates in upcoming friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland.

Argentina have been placed in Group J and will begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.

Lionel Messi injury scare raises concerns among football fans

May 25, 2026 by Newsdesk

Football fans were left concerned after reports emerged of a possible injury to Argentine star Lionel Messi during an American league match.

According to details, Messi, representing Inter Miami CF, appeared to feel discomfort during the game and requested to be substituted before leaving the field.

The incident occurred during Inter Miami’s match against Philadelphia Union, where a rain-soaked pitch created difficult playing conditions for the athletes.

17 days until the World Cup… 😶

🎥 @LeoMiamiSports pic.twitter.com/UlYyfUeDPq
— 433 (@433) May 25, 2026

In the 73rd minute, Messi was seen holding the back of his left leg before being called off the field. However, he was observed walking normally toward the dugout, easing fears of a serious injury.

Speaking after the match, the team coach said the issue did not initially appear severe and that Messi was substituted as a precautionary measure.

The coach added that the poor ground conditions and a congested playing schedule had left the 38-year-old fatigued, prompting the decision to rest him and avoid any further risk.

Messi has not yet officially confirmed whether he will play in the next FIFA World Cup, although expectations remain high that he will represent defending champions Argentina in what could be the sixth World Cup appearance of his career.

FIFA World Cup 2026 to introduce major rule changes

May 22, 2026 by Newsdesk

NEW YORK: FIFA is set to introduce several major rule changes at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, including mandatory hydration breaks, expanded VAR reviews and stricter measures against time-wasting and player misconduct.

The new regulations continue FIFA’s trend of modernizing football rules after the introduction of yellow and red cards in 1970, VAR at the 2018 World Cup and extended stoppage time during the 2022 Qatar tournament.

Under the updated rules, every match will include mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half, regardless of weather conditions or whether stadium roofs are closed.

FIFA said the decision was made to support player welfare and ensure equal playing conditions across all matches.

The tournament will also see the expansion of the Video Assistant Referee system. VAR will now be allowed to review second yellow-card dismissals and incorrectly awarded corner kicks, provided reviews can be completed quickly without delaying play.

The International Football Association Board said the changes are intended to improve decision-making accuracy during matches.

Countdown timers will also be introduced for goal-kicks, throw-ins and substitutions in an effort to reduce time-wasting. Teams could lose possession if restarts are delayed beyond the allowed time.

Goalkeepers already face an eight-second limit for holding the ball, with violations resulting in a corner kick for the opposing team.

Under another new rule, substituted players will have 10 seconds to leave the field after their number is displayed. If they fail to exit in time, their replacement will not be allowed to enter until the next stoppage in play.

FIFA has also announced stricter disciplinary measures for player conduct. Players who cover their mouths during confrontational situations with opponents may face red cards, while teams whose players walk off the field in protest risk forfeiting matches.

The changes come ahead of what is expected to be the largest FIFA World Cup in history, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.